Tag Archives: Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – God Is with You

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

— Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)

No matter what your fear is, God’s Word says you are not to fear because He is with you. It is just that simple. I am sure the question comes to mind: If God is with me, why do bad things happen? God never promises us trouble-free lives, but He does promise us His presence and the strength (mental, physical, and emotional) we need to get through our troubles.

Whatever the problem is, you can be assured it will pass, God will be with you all the way through it, and you will be stronger and know God better when it is over than before it began.

Prayer Starter: Father, thank you for being with me at all times. I will not fear with you always by my side! In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Joyce Meyer – Growing from Trouble

Let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.

— Romans 5:3 (AMPC)

We all face obstacles from time to time. God doesn’t remove every obstacle that stands in our way because we are often made stronger as we learn to overcome obstacles.

When we deal with the difficulties of life, we are strengthened. But if we run from all of them, we will never grow and become stronger in our faith and abilities.

If God allowed us to go through all of life without any obstacles, it would harm us. We would not be as strong as we could have been. Many times, our obstacles are what God uses to give us the strength to succeed, as long as we refuse to quit when there seems to be no way to go on.

You can face your fears and overcome them, and when you do, you’ll often find they gave you the strength you needed for the next situation that comes.

Prayer Starter: Dear Lord, help me to look to You when I feel fearful and afraid, and You will turn my fear into faith. Help me to step out and do Your will today and every day, in Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Joyce Meyer – Controlling Your Emotions During Tough Times

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

— Philippians 1:27 (NIV)

I know people who have been sick for an extended period of time and have the most beautiful attitudes. They never complain, are not grouchy, don’t act as if the world owes them something, and they don’t blame God or even feel sorry for themselves. But I also know people with the same circumstances who talk only about their illnesses, medical appointments, and how hard it all is for them. They are easily offended, bitter, and resentful. Every situation in life requires making a decision about how we are going to respond, and if we respond the way God would, then our trials will be much easier to handle.

Perhaps you have never thought about how important it is to manage your emotions during the tougher times. Most of us think, I can’t help how I act right now; I am having a hard time, and that is all there is to it. That is a normal human reaction, but with God on our side helping us, we don’t have to behave the way a “normal” person would. Satan is our enemy, and his goal is to get us so emotionally rattled that we say things that will provide him with an opening into our lives. Or he hopes we will make unwise decisions during painful times and create messes that we will have to deal with for a long, long time afterward.

I have believed for years that if I can hold my tongue and remain emotionally stable during times of difficulty, then I am honoring God and letting the devil know he is not going to control me. I’m not always successful, but I’m certainly a lot better than I once was. As I often say, “I am not where I need to be, but thank God I am not where I used to be.” I am still growing, but at least I’ve learned the importance of managing my emotions. There is no doubt it is more difficult to manage your emotions when you’re sick or going through a crisis, but hopefully you are learning it is possible.

Prayer Starter: Lord Jesus, I don’t want my circumstances to defeat me. Help me to manage my emotions. Help me trust You and know that your grace is sufficient to meet all of my needs, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Joyce Meyer – Enjoy the Righteousness of Christ

 [Righteousness, standing acceptable to God] will be granted and credited to us also who believe in (trust in, adhere to, and rely on) God, Who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

— Romans 4:24 (AMPC)

It is an awe-inspiring thing to realize you are in right standing with God simply because you believe in Him. Because Jesus who knew no sin became sin, you are the righteousness of God. What a thrilling and humbling thought.

But the devil doesn’t want you to walk in the wonderful thrill of that reality. He wants to bring up all your faults and distract you from the joy of righteousness Jesus died to give you.

Don’t let the devil steal the thrill of your righteousness through Christ. As you prepare for a night of rest, spend a few quiet moments thinking about that matchless gift, and worship and praise the One who made it all possible.

Prayer Starter: Lord Jesus, I thank You for going to the cross so that I can be in right standing with You. Help me fight against the enemy’s lies. In Your precious Name I pray, amen!

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Joyce Meyer – Chasing Joy and Enjoyment

A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

— Proverbs 15:13 (AMPC)

Difficulty is never enjoyable, but right thinking in the midst of it will cheer us up. Even though we have trials, we can face them with courage, being confident of God’s love and His promise to help us. It seems to me that joy and happiness come more from what we believe than from what is happening to us.

Would you be willing to make some changes in your approach to life and even develop some new habits if it would enable you to have more joy and enjoyment?

Perhaps if we studied the habits and attitudes of happy people, we would be able to see some of the things we might need to change if we truly want to be happy. If we value joy, then we cannot just passively sit and wish to be happy; we can aggressively pursue it and be willing to make adjustments where they are needed.

Prayer Starter: Father, help me make the necessary changes in order to find more joy and enjoyment! In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Joyce Meyer – Blessed Are the Peacemakers

Blessed (enjoying enviable happiness, spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the makers and mountaineers of peace, for they shall be called the sons of God!

— Matthew 5:9 (AMPC)

Pursuing peace means making an effort. We cannot maintain peace simply by our own fleshly efforts; we need God’s help, and we need grace, which is His power assisting us and enabling us to do what needs to be done. 

The efforts we make must be in Christ. Too often we just try to do what is right without asking for God’s help, and that type of fleshly effort never produces good fruit. The Bible calls this a “work of the flesh.” It is man’s effort trying to do God’s job. 

What I am saying is, be sure you lean on God and ask for His help. 

When you succeed, give Him the credit, the honor, and the glory because success is impossible without Him.

Jesus said, Apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing (John 15:5). It takes most of us a long time to believe this Scripture enough to stop trying to do things on our own, without leaning on God. We try and fail, try and fail; it happens over and over until we finally wear ourselves out and realize that God Himself is our strength, our success, and our victory. He doesn’t just give us strength—He is our strength. He does not just give us the victory—He is our victory. Yes, we make efforts to keep peace, but we dare not make efforts without depending on God’s power to flow through us; failure is certain if we do. 

The Lord blesses peacemakers, those who work for and make peace. Peacemakers are committed to peace—they crave peace, pursue peace, and go after it. They don’t just hope or wish for it, they don’t just pray for it. They aggressively pursue it in the power of God. Make a commitment to pursue peace from this day forward. 

Prayer Starter: Lord Jesus, I trust you to make me a peacemaker—one who works for and pursues peace with You, myself, and others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Joyce Meyer – Living at Peace

Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

— John14:27 (AMPC)

Peace is one of the most important elements to enjoying your life.

A life of frustration and struggle, a life without peace, is the result of focusing on things you can’t do anything about. When you worry about things beyond your control, stress and anxiety begin to creep into your life.

The apostle Paul said, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6–7 NKJV).

Once we realize we are struggling with something and feel upset, we need to start praying and immediately turn the situation over to God, thankful He will provide according to His will and offer us peace. You and I are not called to a life of frustration and struggle. Jesus came so we could have righteousness, joy, and peace!

Prayer Starter: Father, I am grateful for peace. It is a wonderful gift that You have given me, and I ask for Your help to always be peaceful in every situation.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Joyce Meyer – Wait for the Lord

Keep the charge of the Lord your God, walk in His ways, keep His statutes, His commandments, His precepts, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may do wisely and prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn.

— 1 Kings 2:3 (AMPC)

When you pray, wait for the Lord. This means to look for, to expect, and to hope in God. This isn’t a passive state of mind, but one of expectancy.

Tell Him, “God, I have my hope in You. I believe that You are working on my problems. I believe that You are making arrangements for my day. You are posting angels all throughout my walk, everywhere along my path where You already know I am going to walk today. Thank you, Lord, that You are a pioneer who has already gone before me and made a way for me to. Have a blessed day.”

Prayer Starter: Lord, I have all my hope in You. I am waiting hopefully, expectantly and believing that You have gone before me and made a way for me in my life, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Joyce Meyer – Positive Minds

Jesus said, Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed.

— Matthew 8:13 (AMPC)

Sometimes when I stand behind the pulpit, and before I speak, I pause and my gaze sweeps across the audience. I look at the faces of the people. I love to see the bright smiles and expressions of anticipation, but there are always a few who look downtrodden and discouraged. I don’t know anything about them, and I don’t want to judge them, but their faces look sad. They look as if they have lost hope and expect nothing positive to happen and too often, they get exactly what they expect. 

I understand those discouraged people; I was once one of them. 

Here’s a simple fact I’ve learned: Positive minds produce positive lives, but negative minds produce negative lives. The New Testament tells the story of a Roman soldier whose servant was sick, and the soldier wanted Jesus to heal him. That wasn’t uncommon many wanted Jesus to heal them or their loved ones in those days. But this soldier, instead of asking Jesus to come to his servant, expressed his belief that if Jesus would just speak the word, his servant would be healed (see Matthew 8:8). Jesus marveled at his faith and sent out His word to heal the servant. The soldier’s positive mindset his faith brought positive results. He expected healing, and that’s exactly what happened. 

Too often, we cry to Jesus to heal us, to take care of our finances, or to deliver us from problems, but we don’t fully expect the good things to happen. We allow our minds to focus on the negative aspects. Doubt and unbelief war against our minds and steal our faith ifwe allow it. 

As I wrote in my book Battlefield of the Mind, many years ago I was extremely negative. I used to say that if I had two positive thoughts in a row, my mind would get in a cramp. That’s an exaggeration, of course, but that’s how I saw myself. I lived with the same philosophy that other people have: If we don’t expect anything good to happen, we won’t be disappointed when it doesn’t.

I could have excused my negative attitude by telling everyone about my disappointments in life and I had many. It wasn’t just my lack of expectation. It was more than that. Because I thought negatively, I spoke negatively. When people told me of their spiritual victories, I’d think, That won’t last. When people spoke of their faith, I’d smile, but inwardly I would think that they were gullible. I could always figure out ways that plans would go wrong or people would disappoint me. 

Was I happy? Of course not. Negative thinkers are never happy. It’s too long of a story to explain how I came to face that reality, but once I realized what a negative person I was, I cried out to the Lord to help me. 

I learned that if I kept studying the Word of God, I could push away negative thoughts. God’s Word is positive and uplifting. My responsibility was to become the kind of believer who honors God with her thoughts, as well as with her actions and her deeds. 

I understood the remorse David must have felt when he wrote Psalm 51: Have mercy upon me, 0 God, according to Your steadfast love… is the way he starts. I especially meditated on verse 9: Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my guilt and iniquities. I hadn’t sinned the same way David did, of course, but my negative thinking and bad attitude was sin. It wasn’t just weakness or a bad habit. When I focused on negative thinking, I was rebelling against God. 

The Lord had mercy on me. As I continued in His Word and in prayer, He freed me from Satan’s stronghold. Freedom is available for all of us.

Prayer Starter: Gracious God, thank You for every deliverance in my life. Thank You for setting me free from negative and wrong thinking. Thank You for defeating Satan in this area of my life, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Joyce Meyer – Trusting God When We Don’t Understand

[ . . . though He slay me, yet will I wait for and trust Him . . .]

— Job 13:15 (AMPC)

f the great mysteries and facts about our walk with God is that we rarely understand everything He is doing in our lives. If we always understood, we would have no need to trust Him. As believers we often find ourselves in places of not knowing, and we catch ourselves questioning God: “What does my future hold?” “Will I ever get married?” “What will my children be when they grow up?” “Will I have the provision I need in my old age?”

We have to learn to trust God when we do not understand what is happening in our lives, and we need to become comfortable with unanswered questions. You and I may never have every answer we want when we want it, so we need to relax and get comfortable knowing and trusting God, the One Who does know. Without trust, it is impossible to enjoy today and be ready to face tomorrow with expectancy.

Job, who had many reasons to question God as he faced a staggering series of crises and losses, did not understand what was going on in his life, but he made the decision to trust God any way. I believe that was the only way he could find peace in the midst of his terrible circumstances. Similarly, you and I will never have peace in our lives until we learn how to stop trying to figure everything out and how to start trusting God more.

If you are the kind of person who has to have everything figured out in order to settle down, let me encourage you today to accept the fact you are not likely to receive all the answers you want in this lifetime. Choose to stop demanding explanations and to begin practicing trust. Instead of asking God why, tell Him you trust Him. There have been many times in my life when I wanted with all my heart to know why something was or was not happening, but I knew God wanted my trust, not my questions.

Trust in Him Is there something in your life you don’t understand, no matter how long and hard you think about it? Give it to God and put your trust in Him. Whether or not He ever explains it to you, you can trust Him to bless you and bring you through any crisis.

Prayer Starter: Lord Jesus, thank You for taking control of my life. Help me to trust You in all things, including my thoughts, and help me to always keep my thoughts in line with Your plan for my life.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Joyce Meyer – Trusting God

For You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my trust from my youth and the source of my confidence.

— Psalm 71:5 (AMPC)

Trusting God allows us to enter His rest, and rest is a place of peace where we are able to enjoy our lives while being confident God is fighting our battles.

God cares for us; He will solve our problems and meet our needs, and thankfully, we can stop thinking and worrying about them. I realize this is easier said than done, but there is no time like the present to begin learning a new way to live—a way of living that is without worry, anxiety, and fear.

This is the time to begin believing and saying, “I trust God completely; there is no need to worry! I will not give in to fear or anxiety. God is the source of my confidence.” The more you think about this truth, the more you will find yourself choosing trust over worry.

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You that I don’t have to worry! I trust You to take care of me and to always be with me.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Joyce Meyer – Keep Asking, Keep Seeking, Keep Knocking

For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.

— Luke 11:10 (AMPC)

Jesus encourages us to keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking. We need to do these things, day in and day out, 365 days a year, so we can keep receiving what we need from God.

How many times do we stay awake all night wrestling with our problems and losing sleep over them instead of simply casting our cares upon the Lord and asking Him to meet our needs—then trusting Him to do so? How many hours and days have we wasted trying to reason or decide what is best in certain situations instead of simply asking God for wisdom?

Our mistake is failing to ask and seek and knock, failing to trust God, our living heavenly Father to give us the good things that we ask of Him. We should humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand know¬ing that in due time He will bring to pass what is right for us (see 1 Pet. 5:5, 6). One sincere prayer will produce more good fruit than years of our trying to solve our own problems.

In Matthew 7:11 (AMPC), Jesus says, if you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him. I promise you; God has good and advantageous things for you. Just keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking. We serve a God Who is so marvelous that He can work out things for our good that Satan intends for harm.

Prayer Starter: Lord, I commit to continually asking, seeking, and knocking. I know You have a great plan and will work everything out for my good. In Jesus’ name!

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Joyce Meyer – Resist Fear, Embrace Faith

Without faith it is impossible to please Him.

— Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

Satan works overtime attempting to fill our lives with fear. Since we hear from God by faith, we must resist fear aggressively. The Bible says that Word reveals a righteousness that leads us from faith to faith (see Romans 1:17). If we learn who we are in Christ Jesus and understand how much He loves us, we can approach everything and anything in an attitude of faith. God has said repeatedly that we do not need to fear because He is with us.

The prayer that is of faith will help us and others in amazing ways; therefore, I encourage you to keep your faith strong. We receive God’s will through prayers of faith, but we can also receive Satan’s will through fear. Job said that the thing he feared came upon him (see Job 3:25), so be sure to live from faith to faith. Approach everything you do believing that God is good and expecting to receive His best.

Prayer is one of the most important things we must approach with a heart full on faith. This opens the windows of heaven and releases the power of God in our lives and circumstances. Be very watchful that fear doesn’t sneak into your prayers and hinder you from receiving what God wants for you. If you are having a serious problem with fear, I recommend that you begin your prayers by saying, “I approach God in faith today and I resist all fear.” Now pray boldly, expecting to hear from God and remember that God answers your prayers because He is good, not because you are perfect.

Prayer Starter: Lord, thank You that in and through You, I be strong, resist fear and receive everything You have for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Joyce Meyer – Enjoy Life

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

— 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV)

I think the greatest tragedy in life is to live and not enjoy life. If you are at war with yourself all the time, you are not enjoying your life. God changes us from one degree of glory to another, but don’t forget to take time to enjoy the glory you are in right now while you are headed for the next one. Don’t compare the glory you are in with the glory of some friend or family member who appears to be in a greater degree of glory. Each of us is an individual, and God deals with us differently, according to what He knows we need and can handle.

You may not notice changes on a daily basis, but as you look back over time you will see very definite changes in yourself. Believe that God is working, just as He said He would. Remember, we see after we believe, not before. We wrestle and struggle with ourselves because of all that we are not when we should be praising and worshipping God for all that we are. As we worship Him for Who He is, God’s character is released into our lives and begins to manifest.

Prayer Starter: Lord, I will be glad today because You are changing me from glory to glory. Thank You for working in my life, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Joyce Meyer – Love Is Generous

Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit.) The Lord is near [He is coming soon].

— Philippians 4:5 (AMPC)

When we talk about generosity, most people assume it’s all about money. However, there are a lot of ways to be generous.

Love, for example, is a generous, selfless act. A selfish person expects everyone to be just the way he is and to like whatever he likes, but love respects the differences in other people.

Respecting individual rights is very important. If God had wanted us to all be alike, He would not have given each of us a different set of fingerprints. I think that one fact alone proves that we are created equal, but different. We all have fingerprints, but they are all different!

We all have different abilities, different likes and dislikes, different goals in life, different motivations, and the list goes on and on. We look different, we come in all sizes and shapes, and each of us is unique.

Love respectfully frees others to be who they were created to be. Freedom is one of the greatest gifts we can give. It was what Jesus came to give us, and it is what love allows us to give to others.

God’s love for us is unconditional, and we should learn to love others the same way. Be generous with mercy and always believe the best.

I encourage you today to be a generous person, who gives love freely and unconditionally. Be someone who gives freedom and understanding, mercy and kindness. Give big.

Prayer Starter: Father, please help me to love generously and unconditionally, to love the selfish and to give generously whenever and wherever You direct me. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Joyce Meyer – Earthly Blessings

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers.

— 3 John 2 (AMPC)

In plain, everyday language, this Scripture could read, “My dearly beloved children, I want you to have every earthly blessing you could possibly imagine, but only to the degree that you have spiritual maturity and Christlike character.” When you look at the Scripture this way, you get the message, “I need to grow up!”

You don’t need to talk God into blessing you. He wants to bless you. In fact, He wants to bless you more than you can imagine being blessed (see Ephesians 3:20). But even more than He wants you to have something, He wants you to be something. He wants you to be Christlike. Once you are spiritually mature, you will be able to handle having the earthly blessings He desires for you and use them for His glory.

Prayer Starter: Father, it’s time for me to grow up, but I’m going to need Your help. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Joyce Meyer – Trials Reveal Your Character

Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.

— James 1:3 (AMPC)

Trials “try” us, and tests “test” us. Most of the time, the purpose of them is to show us who we really are, to reveal character in us.

We can think all kinds of good thoughts about ourselves, but until we are put to the test, we don’t know whether those things have become realities in us or not. We may consider ourselves generous, honest, or deeply committed to a particular truth or ideal, but the depth of these dynamics only reveals itself when we’re under pressure. When we go through trials, we learn whether or not we really have the character and commitment we think we have.

I believe it’s very important for us to really know ourselves; tests are good for us because they affirm strengths and reveal weaknesses. Don’t be afraid to face your weaknesses. God’s strength is available to you specifically for them.

I must say that before my trials worked steadfastness and patience into my life, they brought out many other negative qualities, mind-sets, and attitudes I didn’t know I had. One reason God allows us to go through tests and trials is so the hidden things in our hearts can be exposed. Until they are exposed, we cannot do anything about them. But once we see them, we can begin to face them and ask God to help us.

God does not allow us to go through difficult times because He likes to see us suffer; He uses them for us to recognize our need for Him. Everything you go through ultimately does work out for your good because it makes you stronger and builds your endurance; it develops Godly character; it helps you to know yourself and to be able to deal with things at an honest level with God and take care of those things so you can reach spiritual maturity.

How do you behave under pressure? The next time you encounter some sort of trial or test, decide to believe it is for your good. Placing your trust in God opens the door for Him to work miracles out of messes—transforming your weaknesses into Godly character.

Prayer Starter: Lord Jesus, I know that trials and test are meant for good. I trust you to open the doors of my heart to do a mighty work. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Joyce Meyer – Growing in Maturity

Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

— Ephesians 4:15 (AMPC)

God does not expect us to be perfect. In fact, it is precisely because we never could be perfect that He sent Jesus to save us and the Holy Spirit to help us in our daily lives. If we could do it by ourselves, we would not need help. Thankfully, Jesus came to forgive our imperfections and to wipe them away in God’s sight. We actually are perfect through Jesus, but we can never be perfect in our own performance.

Jesus did say, “Be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48 NLT), but study of the original language reveals that He meant that we should grow into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character. God is not disappointed that we have not arrived at manifesting perfect behavior, but He does delight in finding us growing into maturity.

Prayer Starter: Father, I am so thankful that You help me grow into spiritual completeness and maturity. I’m not perfect, but because of Your work, I thank You that I’m okay and I’m on my way!

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Joyce Meyer – Angels All Around Us

For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].

— Psalm 91:11 (AMPC)

Recently, while I was going down some steps, I missed the last step and fell. Although I could have seriously hurt myself, I was able to balance myself so that I dropped to the floor on one knee while holding a laundry basket in one hand and carrying a jar in the other. Did I balance myself or did I have divine help? I thought right away after the fall, I believe an angel caught me and prevented me from injury. I felt that God reminded me of the divine helpers (angels) that are with us at all times.

I admit that I don’t think about angels very often, but I believe I should be more aware of the biblical truth that they are with us all the time, defending and protecting us. We tend to not pay much attention to the things we can’t see with the natural eye, but we can learn to see more with the eye of faith. God is always with us, and He gives His angels to us as a special blessing. Perhaps they could help us more if we truly believed in their presence.

Angels ministered to Jesus when He was being tempted by the devil in the wilderness. When Daniel was in the lions’ den, angels were sent to shut their mouths so they could not harm him. Actually, God’s Word is filled with many examples of angels giving assistance, so I encourage you to believe they are with you today and to let that thought comfort you.

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for giving me angels to assist and defend me at all times. I want to be more aware of their presence in my life and more thankful for how often they keep me safe.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Joyce Meyer – Power to Overcome

But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you….

— Acts 1:8 (AMPC)

No one’s life is everything he or she wants it to be. We all have disappointments, chal­lenges and struggles, sometimes even heartbreaks and tragedies. I have never met a person who could honestly say, “My life has always been every bit as wonderful as I always dreamed it would be.” 

God’s job is not to make us happy or to give us the lives we’ve always hoped for. Often, we so desperately want unsaved people to become Christians that we tell them their lives will be better if they will just receive Jesus. In many ways, this is true, but sometimes we paint such a rosy picture that we lead people to believe they will never have another problem again if they will simply ask Jesus to be their Lord and Savior. This is not true. Jesus did not come to give anyone a life of leisure; Jesus came to give us abundant life, but not a trouble-free life. Part of the abundance He offers is the power of His Spirit to overcome what others cannot.

As believers, we have the power of the Holy Spirit to help us deal with circumstances differently than nonbelievers do. When we are in Christ, we are supernaturally anointed to live our natural, ordinary lives in supernatural ways.

We can be at peace in the midst of a crisis, and we can be positive when everything around is gloomy and depress­ing. Why? Because we can choose joy, peace, positive attitudes, and stability. We can overcome the negative situations that are part of life, but we must choose—through the power of the Holy Spirit—to do so.

Prayer Starter: Lord, thank You for the power of the Holy Spirit to help me deal with any circumstance that comes my way. Amen!


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